Dysfagie door osteofyten van de cervicale wervelkolom

Background

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a systemic condition characterised by ossification of the ligaments around the spinal column due to unknown aetiology. This is often asymptomatic, but it can cause dysphagia in rare cases.

Case description

A 64-year-old man was referred to the ENT department with progressive dysphagia symptoms he had had for years. Extensive analysis by the ENT specialist did not reveal any abnormalities of the swallowing motor functions. However, osteophytes of the cervical spine of the patient were visible in the X-ray of the cervical spine. The patient was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. The osteophytes were surgically removed from the cervical spine using a ventral approach. Immediately after the surgery, the patient no longer had problems swallowing.

Conclusion

In rare cases, dysphagia can be caused by osteophytes of the cervical spine in patients with DISH. Surgical removal of these osteophytes usually has good results.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.